Philosophical Letters: or, modest Reflections upon some Opinions in Natural PhilosophyNewcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Philosophy
Philosophical Letters: or, modest Reflections upon some Opinions in Natural Philosophy
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Newcastle, William Cavendish, Duke of, 1592-1676; Philosophy
prevent God's Intent, (as his expression is in the same place.) But
your _Author_ shews a great affection to the Female Sex, when he says,
that God doth love Women before Men, and that he has given them a
free gift of devotion before men; when as others do lay all the fault
upon the Woman, that she did seduce the Man; however in expressing
his affection for Women, your _Author_ expresses a partiality in God.
And, as for his opinion, that God creates more Daughters then Males,
and that more Males are extinguished by Diseases, Travels, Wars,
Duels, Shipwracks, and the like: Truly, I am of the same mind, that
more Men are kill'd by Travels, Wars, Duels, Shipwracks, &c. then
Women; for Women never undergo these dangers, neither do so many kill
themselves with intemperate Drinking, as Men do; but yet I believe,
that Death is as general, and not more favourable to Women, then he
is to Men; for though Women be not slain in Wars like Men, (although
many are, by the cruelty of Men, who not regarding the weakness of
their sex, do inhumanely kill them,) yet many do die in Child-bed,
which is a Punishment onely concerning the Female sex. But to go on
in your _Authors_ Interpretations: His knowledg of the Conception of
the Blessed Virgin, reaches so far, as he doth not stick to describe
exactly, not onely how the blessed Virgin conceiv'd in the womb, but
first in the heart, or the sheath of the heart; and then how the
conception removed from the heart, into the womb, and in what manner
it was performed. Certainly, _Madam_, I am amazed, when I see men so
conceited with their own perfections and abilities, (I may rather
say, with their imperfections and weaknesses) as to make themselves
God's privy Councilors, and his Companions, and partakers of all the
sacred Mysteries, Designs, and hidden secrets of the Incomprehensible
and Infinite God. O the vain Presumption, Pride, and Ambition of
wretched Men! There are many more such expressions in your _Authors_
works, which, in my opinion, do rather detract from the Greatness of
the Omnipotent God, then manifest his Glory: As for example; That Man
is the clothing of the Deity, and the sheath of the Kingdom of God,
and many the like: which do not belong to God; for God is beyond all
expression, because he is Infinite; and when we name God, we name an
Unexpressible, and Incomprehensible Being; and yet we think we honour
God, when we express him after the manner of corporeal Creatures.
Surely, the noblest Creature that ever is in the World, is not able
to be compared to the most Glorious God, but whatsoever comparison is
made, detracts from his Glory: And this, in my opinion, is the reason,
that God forbad any likeness to be made of him, either in Heaven, or
upon Earth, because he exceeds all that we might compare or liken to
him. And as men ought to have a care of such similizing expressions, so
they ought to be careful in making Interpretations of the Scripture,
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